Usually the front tire lasts at least twice the milage of the rear, so I'd suggest to forget about the front tire and just carry a rear tire - if any at all. Mind you, nowadays you do find tires in most big towns of Africa. Personally I believe that too much luggage causes much more of a risk to damage your tires, so rather try to avoid weight.
In Africa you'll be doing much more dirt roads than in Europe, and on these roads the tires don't wear off as quickly. Travelling at lower speeds than on tarmac the rear tire should last roughly 10,000 k's on a heavy machine, the front tire should last 20,000 k's if it is a good tire like the TKC80. What I learnt in Oz: After about 10,000 k's the people turn the front TKC to turn in the opposite direction. Thus the saw-tooth effect is avoided, meaning that the tire can be used far longer than if running only in one direction.
Hans
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